Vacancies

 

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) on behalf of The Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is soliciting candidates for the position of:

 

REGIONAL LEGAL EXPERT

 

"Towards a Convention and Action Programme for the Protection of the Caspian Sea Environment"

 

Background:
The Caspian Environment Programme (CEP) is a regional umbrella programme born out of desire for regional cooperation to safeguard and rehabilitate the threatened environment of the Caspian Sea. The CEP is a partnership between the five littoral countries namely Azerbaijan, I.R of Iran, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation and Turkmenistan on one hand, and the International Partners namely the EU/TACIS, UNDP, UNEP and the World Bank on the other hand. The private sector and a host of other international organizations also participate in the CEP activities. Up to date CEP has been mainly funded by the GEF, with UNDP, UNEP and World Bank as implementing agencies, and the EU/TACIS. The first phase of GEF support to the CEP ended in 2003 and a second phase GEF project was approved by the GEF Council in November 2003. The main objectives of the current GEF project are to:

  • Commence implementation of the SAP in the priority areas of Biodiversity, Invasive Species and Persistent Toxic Substances (Objective I);
  • Continue with specific capacity building measures to ensure a regionally owned CEP coordination mechanism capable of full implementation of the SAP and coordination of NCAPs (Objective II);
  • Strengthen the regional and national environmental legal and policy frameworks including implementation and compliance capacities (Objective III);
  • Achieve tangible environmental improvements in priority areas by implementation of small scale investments supported by matched small grants programme (Objective IV);

Project Objective III will be executed by UNEP's Regional Office for Europe with the main outcome focused on the preparation of ancillary agreements to the Caspian Framework Convention. Building upon the activities initiated under the first phase of CEP, UNEP/ROE will continue guiding the Convention process and provide assistance for prompt ratification and efficient implementation of the Framework Convention, as well as support for raising awareness and strengthening the implementation of relevant Multilateral Environmental Agreements in the Caspian region. The assistance will also involve promoting regional Environmental Impact Assessment procedures and the use of economic instruments for the strengthening of regional/national environmental protection regimes.

 

Role and Duties of the Consultant:

The consultant will provide support to UNEP/ROE in liasing with the Caspian Governments and international partners to facilitate a prompt and efficient implementation of the Caspian Framework Convention, including the development of appropriate ancillary documents, as well as the implementation of other relevant UNEP/ROE activities within the framework of the GEF project. In particular the consultant will:

  • monitor regional and national developments relevant to the status of ratification and implementation of the Caspian Framework Convention in the region, identifying possible challenges, options and coordination issues, sharing information with UNEP/ROE and the project CTA on a regular basis;

  • support UNEP/ROE and the project CTA in establishing a constructive dialog with the Caspian Governments and relevant stakeholders for the further development and strengthening of the Caspian Framework Convention and the national legal/economic frameworks for environmental protection, including identification of needs for further technical assistance at regional and national levels;

  • assume responsibility for advocating and substantially supporting the development and negotiations of appropriate protocols and other relevant ancillary documents to the Caspian Framework Convention;

  • assist UNEP/ROE in monitoring progress towards achievement of objectives and implementation of project activities;

  • assist UNEP/ROE towards collection and sharing of data and information, including legislative and regulative acts, and updating CEP-website with information relevant to the Caspian Framework Convention as well as other UNEP activities under the project;

  • provide substantive support to the holding of relevant meetings, workshops, seminars, (inter alia, meetings of protocol drafting groups, MEA workshops);

  • provide inputs to the preparation and drafting of meeting/workshop/seminar background papers and other supporting documentation as well as meeting/workshop/seminar final reports;

  • participate in events/activities relevant to UNEP responsibilities under the project;

  • substantively contribute towards preparation of progress reports and other relevant reports on project activities;

  • perform other related functions as requested by the UNEP Project Manager.

The consultant will report on a regular basis to the GEF project CTA and to the UNEP Project Manager.

 

Skills and Experience required:

University degree in law and /or environmental management and/or development studies; at least three years of related international experience; familiarity with the problems and opportunities of the Caspian Sea and its legal issues and challenges; and full fluency in spoken and written in English and Russian. Knowledge of the language of the country of assignment is considered as a major advantage.

 

Duration: One year, part time (extendable)

 

Duty Station: Tehran, I.R. of Iran

 

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and detailed curriculum vitae by 20 May 2004 To: Fidan Kerimova fidan.kerimova@undp.org

 

 

 

© 2005 Caspian Sea Environment | #63, Golestan Alley, Valiasr Avenue, 1966733413, Tehran, I.R. Iran Tel. No.: (+ 9821) 22059574; 22042285; 22042935 | Fax No.: (+ 9821) 22051850 E-Mail: CEP.PCU@UNDP.ORG